100 posts so let's celebrate with chocolate.. Of course

This is my 100th post. 
In all honesty I am surprised I got this far. At times I wondered if I was writing to myself, and sometimes I thought of giving up, especially when I had writers block. So lets celebrate with chocolate........


and one of my favourites. It so reminds me of Christmas Selection boxes and Easter Eggs.
Yummy!!




The top I made for my "garment a month challenge" is the exact colour of the foil paper on a Cadbury's chocolate bar  and its shiny too!! 

This is made from a piece of fabric that was left over sitting in my stash. I didnt  originally choose this fabric. My daughters choice when I made her a dress a few years ago, but it is a beautiful clear purple and polka dots are always a hit with me.  
The pattern is Butterick 5890.     
I had just enough to make  the shorter version minus the collar. (c)  I also omitted the front seam (why have a seam down the front, to me unsightly).
Do I like it?   Yes I do. Though I dont shy away from colour its very shiny, which I am not used to.  I think I just need to get used to it. I would have preferred the longer version which suits me better but there wasnt enough fabric  This top will give a good splash of colour under a cardigan for autumn/spring.     

The pattern says use a  22" zip.  I just dont see why you need such a long zip on this pattern. I can easily get this top on and off without undoing the zip. Even the  previous version I made which was more fitted I can manage with a zip half that length. 


There is plenty of room in it but it is rising up at the front which gives me the impression it needs to be bigger in the bust. No doubt I will make this again and will correct that next time.  I also made the neckline a little bit deeper as I dont like high round necks on me.  Overall I am happy with it and it will be a good addition to my pinks and greys that I wear a lot of.

A while back I mentioned I was thinking of upgrading my camera. Well I am so pleased to tell you that we have finally got a dlsr.  I have been eyeing these up for sometime.  Its a  Nikon D3100, its a beginner dlsr, I should be able to manage that. I love it, the pics are so much clearer. I need to get a tripod and case ordered for it.  So excited :-)  

We went to visit the in laws this week and took them to Lincoln. Of course I was clicking away like a tourist, considering it was late October when these pictures were taken the weather was incredibly warm, we didnt even wear coats.

I also mentioned that I wanted to finish dh socks , and yes (hooray!)  they are complete.  They were ribbed throughout so they were very time consuming.  At hubbies request he wanted them as long as possible, these socks go on forever.

Left: blue ribbed socks  Right:  daughters socks, made earlier in the year.  Both made from drops fabel sock wool, just different patterns in their wool.  I love their wool and have never been disappointed with the quality, and such a good price, especially when they have offers on. Do check them out.   Christmas pressies,  Dont they look lovely.


With the days getting colder and shorter, I find I struggle to  dressmake on a regular basis.  I am more likely to be sat curled up by the wood burner knitting.  I will still try to complete my challenge a month project.  In the stash is some vintage green wool crepe which will make a nice warm dress.  Just need to choose a pattern.  

On the knitting needles  at the moment is some vintage Jaeger angora Spun.  £2.00 from a charity shop.  A pair of bed socks for my daughter, who feels the cold all year round.  A lovely royal blue, this wool is so incredibly soft and fuzzy. I am so going to enjoy knitting this wool, I may not want to part with them.

Whats on your needles or sewing table at the moment. 

Winters here

I hope you all had a good weekend.  Well it feels like winter here today.  The weelie bins are getting blown over with the large gusts of wind, they look like domino ralley all laid on there backs. The washings blowing a treat.  I feel a change of seasons upon us at No.23.

Fresh bedding and an extra winter blanket.  Im not a duvet person but  sheets and blanket, I find  suit us better.  This one cost me £3.00 from a local charity shop, and it feels like wool, even better.




 Its an intriguing pattern and I havent yet sussed out how it is made.  Each triangle appears to be made in one piece but I cannot fathom how they can be, maybe they were knitted on a circular needle. I would really like to know as it annoys me that I cant work it out.

heres the wrong side



and the right side

I know it isnt as pretty or co rdinated as any Cath Kidston bedding,   But I think there is something special about hand made blankets and cotton sheets.  

Oh Im SOoooo looking forward to my bed tonight

Boy, did it rain!

British weather, dont we just love to talk about it, mostly moan about it.  Sunday, Monday and today has been to me unbearable heat, very muggy. But in the space of half an hour I was looking at this out of my window



This is our road!!

It thundered, it lightened, and it rained.... and rained..... so much that this happened....



When it rains hard,  a main drain on the corner of our road cannot cope and the lid lifts, and our little road becomes a river.



We live on an old main road in our village and this little village has become too big, and our old drains cannot cope.  Can you see that around the corner the rain isnt sitting, theres like a line in the middle of the road  where it suddenly starts.

My daughter and I sit at the window and watch the cars ploughing through. Ironicly its the 4 x4s that go the slowest!